No. H126/04 For release December 17, 2004 NEW EQUIPMENT TO DETECT SHIP POLLUTION OTTAWA - Transport Minister Jean-C. Lapierre today announced the purchase of new marine pollution aerial surveillance equipment that will significantly strengthen Transport Canada's National Aerial Surveillance Program. The $2.3 million contract will cover the purchase of the equipment, as well as the on-board crew training. "The Government of Canada is committed to preventing pollution from ships and to continuously enhancing the protection of our marine environment," said Mr. Lapierre. "This technology will significantly strengthen our surveillance program and help us achieve this goal." Transport Canada conducts aerial surveillance to detect marine pollution from ships. When such pollution is detected, charges may be laid under the Canada Shipping Act. It is expected that the equipment will be installed in Transport Canada's aerial surveillance aircraft and crews will be trained on its use over the coming months. Currently, this surveillance relies on visual detection from crew on board an aircraft, who can survey approximately two nautical miles on each side of the aircraft. The new equipment will be able to detect surface anomalies, such as oil, up to approximately 25 nautical miles on each side of the aircraft. Therefore, this equipment will significantly increase Transport Canada's ability to detect illegal discharges from passing vessels even in conditions of reduced visibility, such as darkness or low cloud cover. The system will also assist the Department of Fisheries and Oceans/Canadian Coast Guard and Environment Canada with containment and cleanup operations by detecting, tracking and helping determine the characteristics of oil slicks. The new equipment includes the following: a side-looking airborne radar; an ultraviolet/infrared line scanner; an Airborne Automated Identification System transponder for receiving ship identity information; a high-resolution digital photography camera and video system with GPS data annotation; and a data processor interface that integrates all systems into one user console to ensure maximum efficiency during routine and emergency situations. Transport Canada has acquired this equipment from the Swedish Space Corporation of Solna, Sweden following a public tendering process. The Swedish Space Corporation is an industry leader in the development of aerial surveillance systems. Systems have been purchased by countries such as Greece, Norway, Poland, Sweden and the United States. For information on Transport Canada's aerial surveillance program and other initiatives to detect and deter marine pollution, please refer to the attached backgrounder. -30- Contacts: Irène Marcheterre Director of Communications Office of the Minister, Ottawa (613) 991-0700 Maurice Landry Communications, Transport Canada, Moncton (506) 851-7562 Transport Canada is online at www.tc.gc.ca. Subscribe to news releases and speeches at apps.tc.gc.ca/listserv/ and keep up-to-date on the latest from Transport Canada. This news release may be made available in alternative formats for persons with visual disabilities. BACKGROUNDER NATIONAL AERIAL SURVEILLANCE PROGRAM Transport Canada's National Aerial Surveillance Program is one of the principal methods for detecting pollution from ships in waters under Canadian jurisdiction. Evidence gathered through the program is used by Transport Canada to enforce the Pollution Prevention Regulations of the Canada Shipping Act and other related legislation. When pollution is detected, charges may be laid under the Canada Shipping Act. The program's objective is to maintain and improve the effectiveness of aerial surveillance, particularly off the East Coast of Canada where the illegal discharge of pollution from ships has generated significant concern for the marine environment. The primary means of conducting marine pollution aerial surveillance off Canada's East Coast is through a Dash 8 aircraft owned by Transport Canada and located in Moncton, New Brunswick. The extended range of the Dash 8 allows combined missions over the busier and more vulnerable commercial shipping lanes off Nova Scotia and Newfoundland and Labrador. In addition to the Dash 8 flights, and to further enhance the efficiency of pollution patrols, Transport Canada is increasing its use of Radarsat as an early warning system. Radarsat is a satellite-based surveillance system that detects surface anomalies, such as oil slicks, which could indicate an oil spill, but must be verified on the ground. Increasingly, pollution patrols are being timed to coincide with the detection of such surface anomalies by the Radarsat system. Through an agreement with Provincial Airlines Limited (PAL), Transport Canada also uses PAL aircraft for pollution patrols as required or for on-site verification of Radarsat detections. Transport Canada is committed to continuously enhancing the protection of our marine environment from ship-source pollution through the National Aerial Surveillance Program and other initiatives. December 2004
